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... > study method of memory > objective study method of memory > direct test of memory > recognition task > Sternberg task

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Sternberg task

Experimental paradigm (Sternberg, 1966) to study retrieval processes in short-term memory.

recognition task

memory scanning experiment
memory scanning paradigm
Sternberg item recognition task
Sternberg paradigm
Sternberg's memory scanning paradigm

The Sternberg task, in its original form, consists of presenting the subject with lists of 1 to 6 digits. At the end of each list, the subject is asked to decide whether or not a probe digit is part of the memorized list. The results show that reaction time increases linearly with the number of items in the list, regardless of whether the probe is in the list or not. According to Sternberg, these results indicate that short-term memory retrieval is achieved through an exhaustive scanning of the memory content by means of a serial comparison process.

Bibliographic citation(s)

• Corbin, L., & Marquer, J. (2013). Is Sternberg’s memory scanning task really a short-term memory task? Swiss Journal of Psychology, 72, 181. https://doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185/a000112

• Document type: empirical study

• Access: closed
• Sternberg, S. (1966). High-speed scanning in human memory. Science, 153(3736), 652-654. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.153.3736.652

• Document type: empirical study

• Access: closed

Creator

Frank Arnould

Study method of

tâche de Sternberg

French
paradigme de Sternberg
paradigme du balayage mnésique
tâche de reconnaissance d'un item de Sternberg

URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/P66-KGF9JFL6-2

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